Two suspects from Bulawayo, a 27-year-old man named Ishmael Mpala and a 17-year-old teenager, faced charges in court related to the th3ft of 759.5 kg of copper cables valued at approximately US$15,190.
The duo was arrested on September 2 in Nyamandlovu, Umguza District, Matabeleland North Province, after local residents tipped off the police about their illicit activities.
They were initially taken to Tsholotsho Magistrates’ Court before being transferred to Bulawayo, where their trial is scheduled for October 11.
Both individuals are accused of violating Section 60A (3b) of the Electricity Act, which concerns the unlawful possession of materials associated with electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.
The suspects were found ste@ling copper cables from a pit, and upon noticing the police presence, they fled, leaving behind the cables and a green trailer, although authorities managed to recover a cellphone that became crucial evidence in their investigation.
The police later captured the teenager at a service station in Mpopoma, who then named Mpala as his accomplice, leading to his arrest at home.
While the teenager was released into his mother’s custody, Mpala remains in detention as part of a broader crackdown by ZESA, Zimbabwe’s power utility, on vandalism and theft of copper cables, which has been a significant issue, prompting changes in legislation to impose stricter penalties on offenders, including a minimum prison sentence of ten years for illegal possession of copper materials without proper documentation.
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